Consistent form gives us good chance - Domingo

For all the unwanted accolades Russell Domingo earned this summer - he oversaw South Africa's longest winless streak in Test cricket since readmission in which they were also bowled out for their two lowest scores - he remains their most successful major tournament coach and therein lies the chance for him to declare this season a success. Domingo has been in charge for two ICC tournaments, the World T20 in 2014 and the 2015 World Cup. South Africa reached the semi-finals in both tournaments and he has reason to believe they can go one, or even two better at the World T20 in India.

"We've got a chance. We are one of the most consistent sides in this format. We can go there very confident," Domingo said on the eve of South Africa's departure for India. "We have prepared very well. We have some of the best players in the world. We've got a seriously good side. We'll be there and thereabouts."

Cleared action doesn't guarantee Phangiso spot in XI

Despite having his bowling action declared legal, Aaron Phangiso may still be on the sidelines for the World T20, as he was during the 2015 World Cup. Phangiso was the only member of South Africa's 2015 party who did not play a single game and has since struggled to establish himself against an array of personal problems. He remains back-up to Imran Tahir.

"I can't guarantee anybody a spot. We need to get there and play our best starting XI," Russell Domingo, South Africa's coach said.

Phangiso's remodeled action has not yet been tested in international cricket. He was rushed through two tests after being reported for a suspect action during a domestic game last month. Phangiso's action was found to be illegal after a first round of tests.

Domingo explained Phangiso will get a chance to put his new action to the test in the warm-up matches before South Africa decide on their final XI.

Phangiso is one of only two black African players in the squad and there could be pressure to play him as the country's sports minister got involved in the controversy around the bowler's action.

South Africa signed off on their home season with a 2-1 series defeat to Australia, but victories over England and India in India in the shortest format would seem to put them among the favourites. However, a difficult few months headlined by Test defeats and talk of AB de Villiers' workload management means they will fly under the radar for a change and Domingo is quite happy with that. "We are all pretty chilled. I don't think there is a weight of expectation around our team or any of the teams because of the nature of the competition," he said.

The structure of the tournament - two groups of five teams with each team playing each other only once - means the chances of slipping up are greater, so Domingo is encouraging his team to "keep it simple," and not look for a special formula. "You can't get too fancy, you can't get too funky. There is no magic wand to wave. The sides that do the basics really well in high-pressure games, they usually come out on top," he said.

South Africa were that side for five successive limited-overs matches at home when they came from behind to beat England 3-2 in an ODI series and win the first two T20s. All those wins and the first against Australia came chasing, which has allowed South Africa to bury one ghost but resurrect another. "We've chased really well which is a big bonus but we need to defend a score. We need to find ways of scraping," Domingo said.

Domingo's way of helping them find that is to ensure they have clarity of thought rather than an overload of technical expertise. "I can't hit my players if they bowl a no-ball, or slap them on the wrist," he said. "If you make a mistake, the last thing a player wants to hear is, 'Why did you bowl that?' Encouraging them and working on their thought processes is the key. If your thoughts are clear you have got a better chance of executing your plan."

Faf du Plessis has already bought into that philosophy and emphasised that the fundamentals should be South Africa's focus as they head to into the World T20: "This team has had really good results in the subcontinent but we've got some of work to do to make sure we are ready for that first game. We've got to work on the basics."

Have to agree with @ NIXNIXON's observation. We tend to loose momentum after the 10th over. I think it is crucial to have AB come in at 4 to inject life into the middle overs. With the line up we have, we can chase down any total, but don't see us batting teams out of the match if we continue to nudge it around in the middle overs.

Good luck proteas... i hope ab gets well... he can't come at 3 due to faf performing at the spot... opening was a good idea while it lasted... i feel 4 is too low... they could have tried amla at 4 but instead he goes on to make 98 while opening. This is quite the dilema

masbu
on March 10, 2016, 18:22 GMT

Proteas bowlers need to understand that they can't bowl length and/or short balls towards the end of an innings, especially Steyn, otherwise they will be chasing leather all day other theb that our batting look very good

This is the best SA 11 that would be a serious contender. AB opening just weakens the middle.

Nix
on March 10, 2016, 17:29 GMT

Faf to stay at 3. Sa need to learn that they cant slow down their scoring rate from overs 11 to 15. Thats where they loose their games. In the third t20 they scored 25 runs from 5overs during that middle overs. Its time to stop learning and to start doing.

N
on March 10, 2016, 16:42 GMT

South Africa along with Australia are the strongest contenders for the trophy. The Indians could also win it though, I suppose.

John
on March 10, 2016, 15:15 GMT

SA will make the semis at least, best two teams are Australia and SA.

Android
on March 10, 2016, 15:07 GMT

I think south Africa should go with a specialist spinner and leave JP out he is good all rounder but is lacking conference in bowling SA have a very strong top order so they can afford a specialist spinner .
Think quinten and Amla opening AB at 3 faf at 4 Riyle at 6 Morris at 7 and then the bowlers.

Bishwash Lamichhane
on March 10, 2016, 15:01 GMT

I started watching cricket because of devilllers. I rearly miss matches he plays. I have scremed when he scored a century. I have cried when he cried in wc ..once again i will watch this wc hoping sa will finally win a World Cup..I will pray to God sa reaches final and abd scores century in the final.to make them winner.#die hard abd fan

Russell
on March 10, 2016, 14:16 GMT

The Saffas have a decent chance. Open the batting with Amla and de Kock, AB slots in at 3. I was impressed with Morris' late order hitting to win a couple of the T20s against England recently. He really gives some humpty. Miller is finding some form which is also handy.
On the bowling side, a lot depends on Tahir - he is your main threat. He needs to be in red hot form for the Saffas to beat the top sides. But I really think Rabada could do some damage.
Good luck from an England fan

Malusi
on March 11, 2016, 10:32 GMT

Have to agree with @ NIXNIXON's observation. We tend to loose momentum after the 10th over. I think it is crucial to have AB come in at 4 to inject life into the middle overs. With the line up we have, we can chase down any total, but don't see us batting teams out of the match if we continue to nudge it around in the middle overs.

Good luck proteas... i hope ab gets well... he can't come at 3 due to faf performing at the spot... opening was a good idea while it lasted... i feel 4 is too low... they could have tried amla at 4 but instead he goes on to make 98 while opening. This is quite the dilema

masbu
on March 10, 2016, 18:22 GMT

Proteas bowlers need to understand that they can't bowl length and/or short balls towards the end of an innings, especially Steyn, otherwise they will be chasing leather all day other theb that our batting look very good

This is the best SA 11 that would be a serious contender. AB opening just weakens the middle.

Nix
on March 10, 2016, 17:29 GMT

Faf to stay at 3. Sa need to learn that they cant slow down their scoring rate from overs 11 to 15. Thats where they loose their games. In the third t20 they scored 25 runs from 5overs during that middle overs. Its time to stop learning and to start doing.

N
on March 10, 2016, 16:42 GMT

South Africa along with Australia are the strongest contenders for the trophy. The Indians could also win it though, I suppose.

John
on March 10, 2016, 15:15 GMT

SA will make the semis at least, best two teams are Australia and SA.

Android
on March 10, 2016, 15:07 GMT

I think south Africa should go with a specialist spinner and leave JP out he is good all rounder but is lacking conference in bowling SA have a very strong top order so they can afford a specialist spinner .
Think quinten and Amla opening AB at 3 faf at 4 Riyle at 6 Morris at 7 and then the bowlers.

Bishwash Lamichhane
on March 10, 2016, 15:01 GMT

I started watching cricket because of devilllers. I rearly miss matches he plays. I have scremed when he scored a century. I have cried when he cried in wc ..once again i will watch this wc hoping sa will finally win a World Cup..I will pray to God sa reaches final and abd scores century in the final.to make them winner.#die hard abd fan

Russell
on March 10, 2016, 14:16 GMT

The Saffas have a decent chance. Open the batting with Amla and de Kock, AB slots in at 3. I was impressed with Morris' late order hitting to win a couple of the T20s against England recently. He really gives some humpty. Miller is finding some form which is also handy.
On the bowling side, a lot depends on Tahir - he is your main threat. He needs to be in red hot form for the Saffas to beat the top sides. But I really think Rabada could do some damage.
Good luck from an England fan

kev
on March 10, 2016, 13:23 GMT

QDK AMLA FAF ABD MILLER RILEY/WIESE MORRIS ABOTT STEYN/MORKEL RABADA TAHIR. I think this team looks well balanced, faf should also be at 3 he's cemented his place their and also he plays well with AB. I would lean more towards steyn as he's more eco than morkel but i feel morkel might actually be more effective than steyn, time will tell i feel. Duminy has lost his spot, the man is either not in the correct batting position or just cant cope with the international arena anymore. Wiese allows another bowler but he's then again we probably need spinners more than seamers in which case faf would do well

Abdullah Thul Bi Jardayn
on March 10, 2016, 12:52 GMT

SA cannot seriously take Duminy based on stats of the past. the man has lost it completely. He has to be dropped its a no brainer. He may have been good before but right now and for a while now he has been absolutely awful. you will waste a space in your team if you take Duminy.

bishwajeet
on March 10, 2016, 11:49 GMT

Best SA 11: qdk,amla,abd,faf,duminy,miller,morris,abott,steyn,rabada,tahir ...abd 2 come in if the 1st wicket partnership lasts more than 5 overs and tge track seems good for batting ,if the wicket falls early in 1-2 overs den faf can come in ,with such a batting lineup they can attack more and be aggressive ,the batting line up must bat around abd giving him more strike

Richardson Mzaidume
on March 10, 2016, 11:24 GMT

Luckily, this time I am not raising my hopes. My expectations are next to nil. I have had my fingers burnt many times for pinning my hopes on Proteas. Just like any proud South African, if they win T20 Championship I'll celebrate like there's no tomorrow.

richard
on March 10, 2016, 10:29 GMT

Any SA team that can't play both Amla and de Villiers in the same side has no right to win. That kind of foolishness, for whatever the reason, will get punished on the world stage 99times out of 10. de Villiers opening? That's the foolishness of Faf at 3. Duminy at 4? The foolishness of not having AB in the middle to combat spin. Duminy can hardly play the straight ball at the moment, let alone the twirly ones. Leaving out de Kock to make room for de Villiers? I have no words to describe the number of errors here that will be exposed early on in the tournament. if Faf can overcome his ego, and Domingo can outgrow whatever he is or has that hampers all legitimate progress, perhaps we will have the time to rectify these errors. Just like Domingo, my expectations are whatever he said. He's the man. The man with a plan. Whatever.

Kendal
on March 10, 2016, 10:19 GMT

Russell, here is your armchair expert best XI (please note that the Aussies accomodated all their best batsmen and look what it did) Amla, QDK, AB, Faf, Duminy, Miller, Morris, Rabada, Abbott, Steyn, Tahir. Wiese has been figured out and Rossouw, although potentially a class player, was painful to watch against spin last night.

Viren
on March 10, 2016, 10:18 GMT

I do not see why David Wiese has suddenly got the faith of so many. I say that it's a toss-up between Wiese and Morris for the all-rounder spot and based on form and recent performances, Morris should be the unanimous choice. Behardien, Phangiso, Rossouw and Steyn should go as pure reserve players to the world T20 if we are to field our best team and at least give us a sniff at the trophy.....

mnoswo9332778
on March 10, 2016, 10:08 GMT

@ OMARRZ - Oh, please!! Really? Is there a competition I don't know about to try and associate the word "choke" and South Africa together as many times as possible? Did you watch the last ODI and T20 series' against and India & England. We handled many high pressure situations very well. For the uninformed out there - THERE IS A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LOSING AND CHOKING. Please find something else to bleat on about as we are all becoming very tired of "choke" conspiracy.

greig
on March 10, 2016, 10:02 GMT

We desperately need a proper qualified international coach. Ideally an Aussie.

Manesh
on March 10, 2016, 9:46 GMT

It is hard to find an ICC event in which SA are not favourites. But every time they disappoint their fans at crucial stage. that will be the trend this time too.

I would play AB at 3 or 4 depending if we loose a wicket early. If there is a partnership in the first 8 overs then AB should come in at 3. If a wicket falls early, faf should come in at first drop. Against spin rilee is not as fluent. He should just back himself and go for it as he has the power to clear the boundary. Miller is getting form at the right time and we should hope that JP also get some form soon as he is needed for his experience in india. Steyn bowled well in the 2 games and was unlucky at times but that is cricket. Sometimes you bowl well with little rewards and sometimes bowl badly with lots of wickets.

Lakpriya
on March 10, 2016, 8:36 GMT

Good strong squad but the question as usual would be, can they sustain pressure? they lost to a Aus team which doesn't have 2 of their first choice quicks in Starc and Cummins. so there will be questions to answer. on paper they should qualify from the group. wish them all the best as SA are overdue for a major tittle now. they should dp it before AB, Amla and Steyn retire otherwise it could get tough afterwards.

Lloyd
on March 10, 2016, 8:35 GMT

Unfortunately , very few trust what comes out of Domingo's mouth and neither do I.
He has been at the helm for too many seasons and will not admit he lacks the technical ability to move the team forward. Understandably the quota system does not always afford the coach to field the best 11 but under his leadership the team has faltered and going backwards. The current rankings testify this and losing in your own backyard again highlights Domingo's shortcomings. Don't expect any different in this World T20 sadly.

hamish
on March 10, 2016, 8:04 GMT

Being in the easier pool gives South Africa a good chance; the other pool is much stronger.

g
on March 10, 2016, 8:00 GMT

AB feels rushed as an opener. Doesn't seem to be stable. Also, SA's problem is not in openers - QDK and Amla are more than capable. SA need good attackers during 6-15 overs and AB is ideal for that, being a good player of spin too. Why not AB at 3 or 4? That also helps get rid of one of JP/Behardien?

Sam
on March 10, 2016, 7:12 GMT

AB should bat at 4, not open. This will make space for Amla to slot in as both Behardien & Rousouw are misfiring in the middle. I still can't figure out why they left out wicket taking pacer Morne Morkel.
1. Amla 2 De Kock (WK) 3 Du Plessis 4 De Villiers 5 Miller 6 Duminy 7 Wiese 8 Morris/Abbot 9 Rabada 10 Steyn 11 Tahir.

Omarr
on March 10, 2016, 5:29 GMT

will choke in the first knockout game (if they qualify)

No featured comments at the moment.

Omarr
on March 10, 2016, 5:29 GMT

will choke in the first knockout game (if they qualify)

Sam
on March 10, 2016, 7:12 GMT

AB should bat at 4, not open. This will make space for Amla to slot in as both Behardien & Rousouw are misfiring in the middle. I still can't figure out why they left out wicket taking pacer Morne Morkel.
1. Amla 2 De Kock (WK) 3 Du Plessis 4 De Villiers 5 Miller 6 Duminy 7 Wiese 8 Morris/Abbot 9 Rabada 10 Steyn 11 Tahir.

g
on March 10, 2016, 8:00 GMT

AB feels rushed as an opener. Doesn't seem to be stable. Also, SA's problem is not in openers - QDK and Amla are more than capable. SA need good attackers during 6-15 overs and AB is ideal for that, being a good player of spin too. Why not AB at 3 or 4? That also helps get rid of one of JP/Behardien?

hamish
on March 10, 2016, 8:04 GMT

Being in the easier pool gives South Africa a good chance; the other pool is much stronger.

Lloyd
on March 10, 2016, 8:35 GMT

Unfortunately , very few trust what comes out of Domingo's mouth and neither do I.
He has been at the helm for too many seasons and will not admit he lacks the technical ability to move the team forward. Understandably the quota system does not always afford the coach to field the best 11 but under his leadership the team has faltered and going backwards. The current rankings testify this and losing in your own backyard again highlights Domingo's shortcomings. Don't expect any different in this World T20 sadly.

Lakpriya
on March 10, 2016, 8:36 GMT

Good strong squad but the question as usual would be, can they sustain pressure? they lost to a Aus team which doesn't have 2 of their first choice quicks in Starc and Cummins. so there will be questions to answer. on paper they should qualify from the group. wish them all the best as SA are overdue for a major tittle now. they should dp it before AB, Amla and Steyn retire otherwise it could get tough afterwards.

grant
on March 10, 2016, 8:56 GMT

I would play AB at 3 or 4 depending if we loose a wicket early. If there is a partnership in the first 8 overs then AB should come in at 3. If a wicket falls early, faf should come in at first drop. Against spin rilee is not as fluent. He should just back himself and go for it as he has the power to clear the boundary. Miller is getting form at the right time and we should hope that JP also get some form soon as he is needed for his experience in india. Steyn bowled well in the 2 games and was unlucky at times but that is cricket. Sometimes you bowl well with little rewards and sometimes bowl badly with lots of wickets.

ABOUT COOKIES

We use cookies to help make this website better, to improve our services and for advertising purposes. You can learn more about our use of cookies and change your browser settings in order to avoid cookies by clicking here. Otherwise, we'll assume you are OK to continue.